Josh Scott checks in for the first time since the first time the Buffs played Utah in early Jan. Scott played 23 minutes and had 10 points. (Matt Sisneros/CU Independent)
The good news for Colorado Basketball is that Josh Scott is back. The bad news? Utah came to play.
After missing eight of the last nine games due to back spasms, Scott came off the bench for ten points, seven rebounds, and 23 minutes.
“If there was one shining light tonight, it was Josh Scott,” head coach Tad Boyle said.
The Buffs couldn’t get anything going without Askia Booker (hip pointer), shooting a dismal 29.8 percent from the field and 11.1 percent from three. Colorado was held to 51 points and only one three on the day. Utah had one less three point field goals (13) as the Buffs had total field goals (14).
“That’s what a top 15 team looks like, they took it to us tonight,” Boyle said. “A good old fashioned ass whooping is what it was.”
The story of this season has been injuries. The Buffs’ big three: Xavier Johnson, Josh Scott, and Askia Booker have all missed time due to injury this season.
Colorado is getting a taste of what it’s going to be like when their time here is done. Dom Collier is a source of hope for the future of the team. The home-grown freshman had 11 points on the night. The team didn’t say much on the injuries of Johnson, Booker and Scott. Scott had no comment on Booker’s injury and said that he was simply “fine” when asked about his own injury.
As for Johnson, Boyle said, “I’m not sure he’s 100 percent yet.”
These injuries are looming over the team, but the players are not making any excuses.
“It’s on us,” Collier said. “[Utah] executed and we didn’t.”
The belief that injury has been holding the Buffs back was quickly shot down.
“Injuries can hurt a team, but it shouldn’t matter,” Scott said. “With all the talent that we have, this shouldn’t happen.”
Someone needs to step up for this injury prone team, filling the new void of Askia Booker’s spot.
“When one guy goes down another needs to step up,” Collier said.
Scott and the Buffaloes (11-11) will host the Cal Bears on Thursday hoping to right the ship.
Contact CUI Reporter Cannon Casey at Cannon.Casey@colorado.edu
